Operating-bar for window-slats



(No Model.)

G H MOLL OPERATING BAR FOR WINDOW SLATS. No. 457,427.

Patented Aug; 11, 1891.

INVENTOI? Gwlzzbji fill.

w/ NESSES: b YQbQXW I I j A TOR/Z V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAV MOLL, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

OPERATING-BAR FOR WlNDOW-SLATS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 457,427, dated August 11, 1891.

Application filed August 25, 1890. Serial No. 362,943. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GUSTAV H. MOLL, of St. Louisand State of Missouri,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Operating-Bars for WVindow-Slats, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, specification, &c.

My invention relates to improvements in window-blinds; and it consists in the novel arrangements and combination of parts, as will be more fully described, and designated in the claims.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and cheaply-made device for operating movable blind-slats and a catch-loch or retaining device for holding the operatlngbar, and thereby holding the slats at any desired angle. Heretofore devices have been conceived and patented having a similar object in view, and in common with my invention they have comprised an operating-bar connected with the slats, so as to rotate them upon their tenons.

My device is in the nature of an improvement upon such window-blinds; in detail an improvement on the construction of theoperating-bar and the locking device, as will be more fully described and set forth.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the window-blind with my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line :1: :0 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the operating-bar, showing the catch in its normal position. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the looking or retaining device.

Referring to the drawings, 1 1s a frame of a window-blind, and 2 a series of slats secured therein by means of tenons projecting in holes in the inner face of the frame. On said tenons the slats are made to rotateby means of a curved operating-bar 8. At the ends of. said slats a series of nails or screws 5 are secured, which fit in corresponding perforations 4 in the curved operating-bar S. The number of perforations corresponds to the number of slats. The mode of attaching the operating-bar to the slats may be by nails, screws, or other like devices.

The curved operating-bar 8 is made out of wire and of suitable size to be rigid enough to rotate the slats. Said wire is first corrugated in a machine constructed for that purpose. After the wire is corrugated in curves of sufficient dimensions as to pass freely over the tenons of the slats it is then flattened and perforations made therein corresponding to the number of slats Said perforations should be made at alternate inner projecting portions of the curve, so that the intermediate curves can pass, respectively, over the tenons of the slats. Said operating-bar terminates at its lower extremity in aspring-catch 9, which fits in a fastening device'lO, as hereinafter more fully described.

The retaining device or catch-lock 10 for the operating-bar 8 consists of a metal box with open or closed ends, the bottom of said box provided with teeth or corrugations, in which the catch-spring 9, forming the lower extension of the operating-bar 8, catches, and thereby holds the slats at any desired angle. The operation of the retaining device when made after this construction is obvious. Simply grasp the projecting portion of said spring-catch and place it in any tooth or corrugation that you may desire, and by this arrangement you regulate the opening be-" tween the slats. In order that the catch 9 and the catch-lock 10 may be securely engaged when the former is thrown forward or outward by the corresponding motion of the operating-bar on opening the slats, the catch 9 is given a great amount of elasticity and is under a considerable compression when the slats are closed, thus permitting it to hear more or less forcibly on the lock 10 when the slats are opened.

I am aware that prior to my invention bars forslat-workers have been made with projections thereon to engage the pins securing them to the slats, and I do not therefore claim such a construction; but

What I do claim is 1. An operating-bar for window-slats, consisting of asingle piece of metal having curves therein at regular intervals, the projecting portions of said curves being perforated, the lower part of the said bar being formed into a spring-catch, as described.

2. An operating-bar for window-slats, consisting of a single piece of metal having curves therein at regular intervals, the projecting ICO portions of said curves being perforated and the lower end of the said bar being formed into a spring-catch, in combination with abox having a corrugated bottom secured to the base of the Window-blind and adapted to be engaged by the said spring-catch, substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

GUSTAV H. MOLL.

E. E. LoNeAU,

\Vitnesses: l C. F. A. MUELLER. 

